THE latest report from the field brings the information that a Sunday bill has recently been introduced into the legislature of the State of Connecticut. The main provisions of this bill are found in Section 1, which we quote:—
“The first twenty-four hours of the week are hereby designated as Sunday, and Sunday within the meaning of this act is hereby defined to be a day for general rest and the more convenient exercise of religious and charitable duties and offices. On Sunday no person shall, except as hereinafter provided, keep open any shop, warehouse, or mechanical, mercantile, or manufacturing establishment, or engage in any sport or athletic games, or entertainment, or any secular business or labor, except works of mercy or necessity, or such as shall be required for the maintenance of public order, or the preservation or promotion of health or safety, or necessary for the general welfare or convenience of the community.”
No general exemption of any character is provided in the bill, but provision is made for special exemptions which must be authorized by a vote of the town or city at a meeting called upon the petition of twenty-five or more electors.
It is so evident from the mere reading of this section that the purpose of this bill is to promote the observance of Sunday as a religious institution that no argument is needed to demonstrate this.
The many attempts to secure paternal and religious legislation indicate the trend of sentiment which will later develop into the idea that the state must enforce religious observances. This furnishes the opportunity and creates the demand for a strong educational campaign throughout the country in the principles of religious liberty.
On Sabbath, February 22, the attention of all our people will be directed to this subject by the presentation of the readings prepared for that day, which have now been sent to the elders of all the churches, and a special collection will be taken for the support of this work. In view of the demand for aggressive effort, our people are urged to make as liberal a donation as their circumstances will permit.
The General Conference Session
By Arthur G. Daniells
The thirty-eighth regular session of the General Conference will be held in Takoma Park, Washington, D. C., May 15 to June 8, 1913. At this meeting the regular business of the conference will be considered, reports received from the field, officers elected, etc. The constitution makes the following provision regarding delegates:—
“ARTICLE III, SECTION 4.—Regular delegates shall be such persons as are duly accredited by union conferences, local conferences not included in union conferences, or properly organized missions.
“SEC. 5.—Each union conference shall be entitled to one delegate without regard to numbers, an additional delegate for each conference in its territory, and an additional delegate for each five hundred of its membership. Each local conference not included in the union conference shall be entitled to one delegate without regard to numbers, and one additional delegate for each five hundred members. Each union mission shall be entitled to one delegate without regard to numbers, and an additional delegate for each five hundred members. Each organized mission not included in a union mission shall be entitled to one delegate.”
By order of the executive committee.
A. G. DANIELLS, President.
Gospel Tent Mission in Fiji
THE first gospel tent mission in Fiji is soon to be opened. The means to provide for it is being given in a special offering by the Sabbath-schools in Australia.
Keene Academy Broom Factory Burned
A TELEGRAM from Keene, Tex., dated February 5, states that the broom factory belonging to the Keene Academy was burned on that day, the loss being twenty-five hundred dollars. They will rebuild at once.
Correction: Canvassing Work in North Carolina
By Editor
IN the article entitled “Canvassing Work in North Carolina,” which appeared in our issue of January 30, occurred this statement: “In 1911 we delivered $13,016.18 worth of literature.” The date given should have been 1912. We regret the error.
Support for the Adopted Financial Plan
A NUMBER of the presidents of the union conferences returned to their homes from the Pacific Coast council determined to enter immediately in their fields upon the financial plan adopted at that meeting. Since the council Elder E. W. Farnsworth, president of the California Conference, at a meeting of his church elders, brought before them the recommendation of the council. It was warmly and heartily received, and the brethren feel confident that our people generally will give hearty support to the plan for relieving our institutions of their financial burdens. See articles in Editorial department.
Loma Linda Hospital Day
By Arthur G. Daniells
Sabbath, March 15
At the close of the General Conference Council at Mountain View, nearly all the members of the committee went to Loma Linda to attend the spring meeting of the directors of the College of Medical Evangelists. This meeting proved to be a very profitable and encouraging one. We found the sanitarium well filled with a good class of patients, who seemed highly pleased with the service they were receiving. All the departments seemed to be very busy, and every one appeared to be making earnest efforts to make the work a success.
It was a great pleasure to form the acquaintance of the medical students. A fine, sturdy lot of young men and women they are. We could not spare the time to visit their classes, but we met them in special meetings in the chapel a number of times. They are earnest Seventh-day Adventists, loving the message God has given us to proclaim to the world, and having the fullest purpose to devote their lives to the finishing of the gospel work in this generation. As we saw the situation as it was, inexpressible gratitude filled our hearts because these young people are able to take their medical training in our own school, under the instruction of Christian medical teachers whose lives are devoted to this cause of God.
Full reports of the past year's work were laid before the board by the management. These reports showed that the managers had labored earnestly to carry out the recommendations passed by the board one year ago. A careful investigation of the affairs of the institution convinced all present that encouraging progress is being made with this great enterprise.
The great, pressing need just now is a clinical hospital for the medical students. The erection of this hospital was authorized by the board one year ago, and the work was begun, but for lack of funds to put the building up without increasing the indebtedness the work was stopped.
After giving the whole situation careful study, the board passed a resolution requesting the General Conference Committee to appoint a day for taking an offering in all our churches in the United States and Canada for the Loma Linda Medical Hospital. This request was taken under consideration by the members of the committee who were present, and was agreed to. We find that there is now due $27,000 from the union conferences on the appropriations they have agreed to make to the medical college. It was decided to appoint Sabbath, March 15, for taking this offering, and to let this cancel all sums now due on apportionments from these unions, including the 1913 apportionment.
Now a most earnest effort should be made in behalf of this offering. It should be not less than $20,000. Full information will be sent to all conferences immediately. May we request conference officers and ministers to begin at once the hearty promotion of this worthy undertaking? A. G. DANIELLS.